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Herbert Chapman’s First Managerial Game At Arsenal, On This Day, 6th December 1913

I didn’t say that it was in charge of Arsenal. Having been manager of Northampton Town, Chapman had been appointed by Leeds City in 1912. Arsenal fell through the relegation trapdoor at the end of the 1912-13 season and this was their first back in Division Two.

Going into the match, the team were level on 18 points with Leeds superior goal average (2.06 to Arsenal’s 1.25) the divide. At the season’s end, that was to be Arsenal’s failing with their goal average leaving them in third place behind Bradford Park Avenue, or to put it into context, five goals more being scored would have seen them promoted. Leeds City finished fourth.